Shiseido High Beam White is packaged exactly like Shiseido’s blushes – in a small, sleek black compact with the best brush that I’ve ever seen as an included extra. I usually dislike compacts that include a brush, because I value the space in my makeup drawers and use my own brushes instead of the enclosed applicators. Thus, I’d rather have a smaller, applicator-less compact. However, this brush is good enough to actually use, which means that I don’t mind it being included – though I would be fine without it, too.

Shiseido blush / highlighter enclosed brush

The highlighter itself looks extremely stark white in the pan, and doesn’t look like it could possible be natural looking when applied. However, it has a soft, smooth, and silky texture, and easily blends out to give a buildable and natural sheen.

This is not a glittery, or even shimmery highlighter – I detect no individual shimmer particles at all. Instead, it has a sheen. It can be used lightly for a natural look, or built up for a dramatic look. The smooth texture makes it easy to use either way.

heavy swatch // blended swatch – with flash

heavy swatch // blended swatch – natural light

High Beam White applied lightly

As I mentioned, I own several highlighters – but, all of my other highlights are neutral-toned or golden – High Beam White is unique in its whiteness. I foresee this one getting a lot of use!